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God at work in and around us — Christian ed at home

 

As young children begin wondering about God, they inevitably ask some variation of this question: “Where does God live?”  And, as adults, we often say something like this: “God is everywhere, all the time.”  While most children accept this answer, they don’t necessarily know what it means.  Noticing God’s presence in and around us is key to our faith, but it is also something that takes time to develop.  In this lesson, your children will explore the ways God is at work around us.

Begin the time with your children with a scavenger hunt.  Make a list of things that they can find around the house.  The list should include items that are easy to identify such a blue vase as well as things that require them to do a bit of thinking like an object that reminds you of your grandparents.  When they have collected all of the items, sit down and discuss each one.  Ask them why they picked each object.  Encourage them to notice that some were very obvious and specific while others were not easily recognizable and were subject to debate.  Note that we look for God in the world around us like they searched for items in this scavenger hunt.  Sometimes we know God is at work because God’s action is very clear.  Other times, we have to think and wonder where God is.

Prepare to read aloud Mark 5:21-43.  Note that this reading includes two situations that may be frightening to some children.  A woman has been bleeding for many years and a child is critically ill.  If your children are particularly sensitive to these topics, you may want to retell the story in your own words, taking care to address these events in a manner that helps your child connect to the story without being scared.

Share with your children that they will be hearing two stories about Jesus healing people.  These events take place after Jesus and his disciples traveled across the Sea of Galilee.  While they were rowing from one shore to another, a storm came and the boat filled with water.  The disciples were frightened, so they called on Jesus to help them. He calmed the sea and his friends, allowing them to safely arrive at their destination.  As they reach this new town, a large group of people gathers to greet Jesus.  Encourage your children to notice what happens as Jesus goes into this town.

Read aloud Mark 5:21-43.  Then discuss the two healing stories separately.  Ask your children to describe what happens as Jesus walks through the town towards Jarius’ home (verses 24-34).  Note that a woman in town has been suffering from a bleeding disorder for twelve years.  Though she has seen many doctors, none have been able to help her.  Knowing that Jesus has healed other people, she gets close to him as he is walking and touches his robe.  She is immediately healed.  Encourage your children to notice that none of the people around the woman would have known that Jesus healed her if he had not stopped to talk about the healing.  His work is invisible to everyone but the two of them.

Next talk about the healing of Jarius’ daughter (verses 35-43).  Ask your children to recount the event in Jarius’ home.  Note that when Jesus arrives, the family believes the girl has died.  Jesus enters the house and tells them that she is alive. He reaches out to her and she gets out of bed and begins walking around.  Jesus tells them not to tell anyone about the healing.  Ask your children how this healing is different from the previous one.  Encourage your children to notice that many people witnessed this healing.  It is very clear to all of them that Jesus has made Jarius’ daughter well. However, he tells them not to talk about the event.

Share with your children that God is at work in the world around us, just as God worked in these two stories.  God’s work isn’t always miraculous healings like we see in the reading, though.  There are many ways that God works in and around us.  Encourage your children to think about all of the Bible stories they have heard or read about God doing something on earth.  Ask them to think not just of Jesus’ ministry, but also of the Old Testament stories of God’s interaction with creation and the work of the Holy Spirit in the lives of those who formed Christ’s church.  Make a list of these stories on a piece of paper or a whiteboard.  After your children have created this list, ask them how the human beings in these stories knew God was at work in these moments.  Some will be very obvious to them, but others may require a bit of questioning and wondering.  Write their reflections down next to each story.

Look at the list together and talk about how similar situations may happen in our lives today.  For example, a child could share that God freed the Israelites from slavery in Egypt.  The people were being mistreated and were forced to live hard lives through no fault of their own.  The people knew God was with them through Moses’ words and actions.  We see God at work in the same way when lawyers and advocates prove an innocent person has been sent to jail for a crime he didn’t commit.  With God’s help, these people are able to free someone from a hard life he did not deserve.  You may need to ask prompting questions or offer some examples of your own to help your children begin making these connections.

End the time with your children by saying a prayer asking God to help us notice when God is at work around us. Encourage your children to share when they believe they have seen God at work in their lives or the lives of others. Commit to sharing when you observe the same.

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